Device for making elastic bodies



Aug. 5, 1952 L. RUHLAND DEVICE FOR MAKING ELASTIC BODIES Filed 001: 18, 1,949

INVENTbR. Zaaur z'g iafila' 4d mm MM INTOR/Vf) Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT orries I DEVICE FOR; MAKING ELASTIG BODIES! Ludwig Ruhland, Secaucus Township, Hudson County, N. J.

Application October 18, 1949, SerialNo. 122,111

7 Claims. 1

Thus the body portion of the article may fitloosely and hold medication or a bandage on a part of the body covered by the article, the band preventing escape of medication or escape of contamination from the affected parts thus covered.

The bead or band has been often madehitherto by rolling up the edge of the molded article, but in certain uses this proved objectionable. Sometimes' the bead lacked sufficient elasticity by reason of being rolled up to make a thick band, so that the rounded bead tended to dig into the flesh. Sometimes the surface of the bead in contact with the skin was too slight to offer sufficient friction to hold the article in place.

It has been attempted to solve the problem of making a satisfactory elastic band for such an article by a separate band applied before molding the body of the article by a dipping process. In that process an elastic band is first-manually placed upon part of the mold and the mold is the band just far enough-to cover or nearlycover the elastic band. When the liquid deposit on the mold dries, the band becomes united with the body portion of th article.

While: the: separate manufacture of the elastic band procedure produces a satisfactory article, the-separate manufacture of the band and the required; manual placing of the elastic band on the; molds is a slow and expensive operation, and failure tov accurately position the bands results in defective products. Under thisprocedure the moldibody is usually removed from the shaft at every molding. operation, with the-result that the joint where the shaftenters the mold eventually becomes worn 'or otherwise damaged .and during the dipping operation the liquid enters thedamagedspot and results in. afaulty article. The; present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages above mentioned and other disadvantages by providing devices and method The. invention further contemplates the: provision-of a method and devices which maybe utilized by-relatively inexperienced and unskilled personnel to. rapidly produc improved "elastic articles embodying integral and simultaneously formed elastic bands and elastic body portions. According to the'present invention, both the body and integral band or neck of the article are molded simultaneous1y,'wi'th integral bandt'being of the desired heavier thickness than'thelbody portion.

An object of the present invention is 'to'provide a new and improved method of making elastic articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved devices for making elasticiarticles. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvediapparatus for simultaneously forming the band and body portions of" elastic articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for forming elastic bag-like articles having'i'ntegral elastic band and body portions.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved device which reduce substantially the Wear upon the molds and the number of operathereafter dipped in suitable liquid to immerse 2 extending into a body of-liquid;

tions involved in making elastic articles oi' the class described;

Other and further objectsof'the inventionwill be obvious. upon an understanding of the iilIustrative embodiment about to be described, or=will beindicated in. the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in. the artv upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of theinvention has been chosen for purposes of" illustration and description and 'is shown in th accompanying drawings, forming apart of the specification, wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational view showing-one form of thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view, partially in section,

showingparts of the device illustrated in- Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a portion of the device-shown in Figs. 1

and 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is anelevational view, partiall'y' in section, showing the molding deviceof-Figs. 1- and Fig. 6 is an enlargedfragmentarysectional view illustrating in somewhat exaggerated mannr a relationship of a portion of the present molding devic with respect to the surface of a body of liquid;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of the present molding de vice, together with a deposited layer of elastic material; and V Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the invention, along the lines of that illustrated in Fig. '7.

In the form of the invention illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the molding device comprises a main body portion I located adjacent the lower end of a shaft or stem-like part 2, armultiplicity of such shafts bein threaded, bolted, or otherwise secured to a carrying plate 4 of an appropriate frame (not shown). Any suitable number of such shafts and main body portions may be carried by the plate 4, for example, as many as one hundred and fifty, so that they may all be dipped into a body of liquid at the same time in the manufacture of articles. The

shafts or stem portions 2 of th molding device may be held in position on the plate 4 by nuts 5 audit.

g Itwill' be noted'that the shaft 2 includes a reduced diameter upper portion located above an outwardly extending umbrella-like flange or projection I, the projection comprising a substantially horizontal undersurface, IIl, spaced from the uppermost end of the mold body portion I, and an inwardlyinclined portion I I which joins the outermost edge I2 of the projection IIl with thereduced diameter portion of the shaft'Z.

The uppermost surface or edge I3 of the main body portion I preferably has an annular flat portion or width substantially equal -to that of the undersurface Iii of the projection 'I. The vertically spaced portions I 0 and I3 of the projection and of the main body portion cooperate with the vertical connecting portion I lito form an annular recess or groove immediiately above the main body portion I of the molding device.

The tank I! contains liquid natural latex, some synthetic solution such as neoprene, or

other appropriate liquid, and in forming an elastic article with the present molding device the latter is dipped into the body of liquid so J that the main body portion I is completely submerged and so that the uppermost surface or meniscus of the liquid comes into contact with -the undersurface I0 ofthe flange or projection 1. In'the dipping operation the liquid thus fills the annular space between the upper end of the mold body and the spaced overhang II] on the shaft. When the mold body'is withdrawn from the liquid :a'relatively heavy or thick layer of -.the:;liquid is held inthe annular recess formed grooveor collar above the main body portion of the mold upon withdrawal from the liquid is thicker than thelayer formed on the main body portion and this extra thickness subsequently dries to form a thickened elastic band or reinforced elastic neck for the article.

-In this manner there is provided a completely integral article with a heavier band and the time and labor formerly-required in making the a band separately and manually placing it,:on the -;1n0ldis eliminated. In addition, the simultaneous formation of the band and body portion proper of the elastic article provide greater structural strength than is otherwise obtained, with less likelihood of separating the band from the remainder of the article.

With most liquids which are employed to form the elastic articles the upper surface of the liquid tends to creep or move slightly upwardly above the normal surface of the liquid to wet the whole of the undersurface l6 of the annular shoulder which forms the upper wall of the re duced diameter portion Hi of the shaft.

1 I When the mold body and stem are lowered the correct distance into the body of liquid the "liquid comes into contact with only the under surface I!) and the formation of the desired and correct integral band portion results on the article. If a stem portion extended vertically upwardly from the outer edge I2 of the shoulder i, lowering the mold/slightly too far into the liquid would tend to cause wetting or creeping of the liquid upwardly along the shaft above the undersurface it of the stem; this is highly objectionable since it results in the formation of an undesirable fin or flash which mars the appearance of the resulting article.

In order to overcome or minimize this disadvantage or difliculty the portion of the stem immediately above the shoulder Iii is cut back to form what may be termed a reversely inclined surface II, which inclines away from the outermost edge E2 of the undersurface 36. As shown in Figs. 1 through 6 this angle is about 60 but any other suitable angle may be utilized. When a molding device embodying this reversely-inclined upper surface is lowered into the liquid it is difficult for the. liquid to contact any surface above the outermost edge I2 and thus upward creeping of liquid along the. shaft or other portion of the molding device is greatly minimized. Even in those instances where the molding device may be immersed slightly more than absolutely necessary into the liquid, the liquid surface does not objectionably wet any upwardly extending surface of the molding device. This improved action is illustrated in somewhat exaggerated form in Fig. 6 Where the undersurface I I] and edge I2 are shown depressed slightly below the uppermost surface it of the body of liquid without wetting the inclined surface Ii.

Thus it will be clear that the present molding devices may be lowered into a body of liquid without observing the same degree of exactitude of immersion as is required with molding, devices which do not include the present reversely inclined upper surface Ii. This reverse angle is even more highly desirable in practical commercial operations where a plurality of the molding devices are carried by a plate 4; in this latter instance some of the undersurface portions I l of the molding devices maybe at slightly diiferent distances from the same mounting plate'4 than others, which makes it difiicult to immerse each molding device into a body of liquid by exactly the same amount, as, in some instances, the plate l may not be exactly in the same plane throughout its area and, here again, the present devices provide correct wetting. With .the present'invention the molding devices carried by the plate 4 may have their. undersurfaces IE located in a common plane with a reasonable degree of exactness; even though the undersurface II] of one of the molding devices may be immersed to a slightly greater extent than others, the reversely inclined upper surfaces II minimize the possibil- Y tively thinner article. and dryings give excellent results, the additional .15 ity :of wetting :even rthe "more "deeply E'inser-ted molding devices? above the sunde'rsurface 5| 0. Thus -there is provided .1 correct "formation 'rof :articles even ithough :every. molding *deviceacarriedrb'y the -:plate may not ibeiiimmersed :tocexactly thersame depth. Thisis highly .idesirable since .a irelaitively:finexperienced operator need-:o'bserve only :one' of the molding devices I-to insure :iits :immer- --sion to the correct. amount r in order to immerse all of them toa practicallycorrect'rextent. The

same holds true with an automatic dipping "mechanism. Evenithough' the. operator or automatic dipper tends to immerse a single 'molding device too far into the liquid, the'inclined surwetting the molds.

"Excellent results may be achieved by utilizing,

for the mold portinsWhich form the annular recess around the stem, an undersurfaceI'O-"and a 'fiatmold upper surface 1 3 each having widths in the neighborhood of 025 inch and'a vertical connecting portion l4 having a dimension of about 12-inch to about .13 inch. 'These dimenllhe'molding device of: Fig. :lincludes a'main body portion I la, ia l'shafti or stem. 2a za'ndzan 411mbrella-like .proiectingxportion'la including; an un- "dersurfac'e lUa and an .linclined-upper surface t mean generally similar to :those previously described iiin conneciti'on .iwith' Figs. 1-'-3, 5 land 6.

- Iln the io'rmorlFig. 7ithe main body tportionla at 2-2 in F-ig. 4.

sions-may be suitablyvaried to give desired other I band thicknesses, etc.

In the process of molding by dipping the "dipped mold is Withdrawn with an adhered coating of the liquidan'dthe-deposited liquid substances is dried; thereafter the dipping anddry-' ing steps are repeated'a desired number of times.

It is preferable'to-dry-the dipped mold after each dip to allow-the thicker layer of 'depositio'rming 'the annular collar ampletimeto' dry. Thus a-thickened band of deposited elastic material is formed around the opening andipr'ovi'des a thickelastic band at the opening of the rela- Three successive clippings clippings after the firsttending'to cover any defects-which may exist from a previous dipping.

"While thepresent molding device is illustrated in'Figs. l and '2 as comprising separable shaft,

collar and main body jportions' which. thread together toiorm a complete'molding device it will be understood'that they may'beforme'd' by casting, molding or: machining. from a single piece of material. The molding device may be formed from metal," synthetic molding compound, Or any othersuitable substance. Where the article is comprised of separable [parts such as illustrated in Fig. Ztheicollar and other appropriateparts should fit 'tightlyagainst each other "to prevent the formation of any objectionable web or fin on the final molded article.

After articles have been formed on the molding devices .by the dippinguand dryingcsteps thearticles may be stripped from the molding devices by hand or by mechannical meansand subjected to testing operations an'd'the like. 'In order to loosenthe articles sufficiently to facilitate strip- .ping themfrom the molds they are -preferably firstsoaked for a timein soapy-Water orthe like and. thereafter. stripped.

. In some instances it may i be desirable to l increase the height or vertical dimensionoi the band and to.increaseits-grippingstrength. This may be achieved (Fig. 4;) by providing a groove or recess 22 at the upper partof the main body is separable irom thestemizabypulling thefparts The various shoulders 'may be formedon a hardened insert 2'! shown set into an appropriaterecess in the-main body portion la: this hardened insertminimizes objectionable wearing away "over a period of time as a result of continued assembly and separation of the mainbody portion laandjthe stem. Hereagain any suitable material such as metal, plastic, glass, porcelain, or the like may be utilized for the materialscomprising the -molding device.

Fig. "lalsoshows ina general Way the deposition of an initial thickness of elastic material in solid lines and in dot-dash lines the increased thickness which is obtained by subsequent dipping.

The finished article may be removed from the molding device of Fig"? by stripping it from the main body portion la while the latter remains assemblediwith the stem 2a, or "the main body portion la may first be removed 'from the stem to expose an upper edge ofthe thickened band, and then the band stretched to-enlarge the opening and facilitate stripping of the article from the mold.

An'air vent conduit or opening 18, shown'extending through the shaft of Fig. '7, may be used if desired. This vent is, not essential 'where'the molding device is made in one piece orwhere it is built up as indicated in Fig. 2. It is useful with the construction off Fig. '7 where the venting of air in themold as theshaft is inserted serves to aid atight fit and to eliminate 'the .pressure of airheated in the drying process; it also facilitates the cooling-of the form after leaving the drying room.

The construction of the molding device shown molding relationship, against the flat undersurportion, inlieu ofthefiatsur'face I3. Thegroove is shown extending from the vertical shaft portion to a relatively abrupt or sharp edge 23. The

face Hlb. When the retaining ball I9?) is seated in the recess 20b itholdsthe uppermost end 30 of the insert member 211) firmly against the undersurface lllb, thus preventing leakage of liquid into an intermediatejoint- To assist .in obtaining dipping. into the liquid for the exact requireddistance, downward'movement ofthe dipping framemay be arrestedby a stop ilmountedon the side of thetank-ll, gas by bolts 25, and provided with a fine screw ad: justment 26. Other suitable means may be utilized for limiting the downward dip into the latex I solution or the operator may gauge the proper wetting'any surface above the surface ID of the ledge.

The stop adjustment 26 is adapted to be readily set to coordinate with the level of liquids in the tank I 1, which may be accurately maintained by a float 28 controlling an inlet valve.

The stop means described immediately above is not necessary, .however, with the present invention since the reversely inclined upper surfaces II of the molding device minimize the possibility of objectionable wetting of the molds above the surfaces If! and consequent undesirable webs or fins in the finished article. It may, however,-be utilized to supplement the ac- I tion of the inclined upper surfaces l I.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and relatively simple method and devices for rapidly and inexpensively manufacturing improved elastic articles having integral or unitary bands, by dipping a mold into the liquid and retaining a thicker annular layer around the neck of the mold. The formation of objectionable fins or webs is avoided by the improved construction which minimizes wetting portions of the mold'beyond a desired location. The present method and devices are well suited to use by relatively inexperienced personnel to produce a maximum number of perfect articles with a minimum number of rejects. The method is relatively simple and the devices, by reason of their relatively simple construction, are inexpensive to manufacture.

As various changes may be made in. the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

7 1. A molding device for forming elastic articles having an annular thickened band adjacent one end thereof, comprising a main body portion terminating in an annular shoulder, stem-like means of reduced cross section projecting above said main body portion, another annular shoulder extending transversely from and projecting beyond portions of the'stem-like means intermediate said shoulders and having an undersurface spaced from said first shoulder a distance substantially equal to the width of the thickened band to be formed on the article and having an upper surface overlying said undersurface, said upper and undersurfaces meeting each other to form a corner with an included angle of less than ninety degrees. i j I, i

2. A molding device for forming, elastic articles having an annular thickened band adjacent one end thereof, comprising a main body portion terminating in an abrupt annular shoulder, stem-like means of reduced cross section projecting above said shoulder, another abrupt annular shoulder extending transversely from and projecting beyond portions of the stem-like means intermediate said shoulders and having an undersurface spaced'from said first shoulder a distance substantially equal to the width of the thickened band to be formed on the article and having an upper surface overlying said undersurface, said upper and undersurfaces meeting each other to form a corner and the upper sur- 8 face sloping inwardly and upwardly from said corner toward the stem-like means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said undersurface of said other shoulder is substantially flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem-like means.

' 4. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said annular shoulder of the main body portion and the undersurface of said other shoulder have substantially fiat faces disposed toward each other.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said annular shoulder of the main body portion is recessed throughout its length.

6. A molding device for forming elastic articles having an annular thickened band adjacent one end thereof, comprising a main body portion having a socket therein, a collar extending about said socket having an abrupt annular shoulder and a portion of reduced cross section projecting above said shoulder, a member fitting into said socket provided with another abrupt annular shoulder extending transversely therefrom and projecting beyond said reduced portion of the collar members and having an undersurface spaced from said first shoulder a distance substantially equal to the width of the thickened band to be formed on the article and having an upper surface overlying said undersurface, said upper and under annular surfaces meeting each other to form a corner and the upper surface sloping inwardly and upwardly from said corner toward said member.

7. Mounting means carrying a plurality of molding devices for forming from liquid material elastic articles having an annular thickened band adjacent one end thereof, each of said devices comprising a main "body portion terminating in an abrupt annular shoulder, stem-like means of reduced cross section projecting above said shoulder, another abrupt annular shoulderextending transversely from and projecting beyond portions of the stem-like means intermediate said shoulders and having an undersurface spaced from said first shoulder a distance substantially equal to the width of the thickened band to be formed on-the article and having an upper surface overlying said undersurface, said upper and undersurfaces meeting each other to form a corner and the upper surface sloping inwardly and upwardly from said corner toward the stem-like means, tank means for holding'said liquid material, and adjustable means carried by at least one of said mounting means and tank means for contacting the other to arrest movement of the mounting meanstoward said tank means.

LUDWIG RUHLAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

